Jordan National Shipping Lines

What Jordan National Shipping Lines does

Jordan National Shipping Lines (JNSL) is a diversified maritime group headquartered in Amman, Jordan, founded in 1976 as the country's national flag carrier for strategic sea-borne imports and exports. Privatized in 2002 and listed on the Amman Stock Exchange (ticker: SHIP), the group operates through seven subsidiaries and affiliates spanning ship ownership, ship operations, chartering, ship agency, technical management, marine services, freight forwarding, maritime education, and hospitality. Core operations are anchored at the Port of Aqaba — Jordan's only seaport — with regional service extensions into Iraq, Egypt, and the UAE across Mediterranean, Red Sea, Arabian Gulf, and Indian Ocean trade lanes.

The group's revenue mechanics span multiple streams: shipping and ship operations carrying over 10 million tonnes annually across wet, dry, and specialized vessel types; chartering/shipbroking via the Jordan International Chartering Company (JICC, a JV with Arab Potash Company, Jordan Phosphate Mines Co, and Clarksons); ship agency through Jordan Group for Shipping Agencies (JGSA); technical management via Arab Ship Management (ASM); marine services (towage/pilotage) through the Smit-Lamnalco Jordan / APMSCO joint venture; freight forwarding for specialized project cargoes; maritime education via the Jordan Academy for Maritime Studies (JAMS, est. 2004); and hospitality through the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Aqaba operated by JMCREI. Underlying technology consists of maritime management systems supporting chartering, technical operations, and logistics — no AI/ML capability is disclosed.

JNSL serves a B2B enterprise customer base dominated by Jordanian industrial exporters of bulk commodities (Arab Potash Company, Jordan Phosphate Mines Co), international ship owners and operators requiring trusted agency at Aqaba, and project cargo clients in oil & gas, renewable energy, pipelines, and offshore sectors across Jordan, Iraq, Egypt, and the Red Sea region. The go-to-market is sales-led with long-term contracts of affreightment combined with spot market operations, supported by deep institutional relationships with port authorities, charterers, and freight forwarders built over 50 years.

Name

Jordan National Shipping Lines

Legal name

Jordan National Shipping Lines

Website

http://www.jnslgroup.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

1976

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Jordan National Shipping Lines is a shipping company based in Jordan.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Maritime Shipping and Logistics Services

NAICS

Deep Sea, Coastal, and Great Lakes Water Transportation (4831), Deep Sea Freight Transportation (483111), Water Transportation (483), Marine Cargo Handling (488320)

SIC

Water Transportation (4400), Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731), Deep Sea Foreign Transportation Of Freight (4412)

akta.pro primary industry

Ocean Export Forwarding (Booking/VGM/SI/BL) (TLACABAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Project & OOG/Breakbulk Ocean Forwarding (Out-of-Gauge, RoRo) (TLACABAH), NVOCC Operations & Ocean Consolidation (TLACABAC), Ocean Import Forwarding (Destination Handling/DO/ISF) (TLACABAE), Customs Brokerage for Ocean Shipments (Import/Export Clearance) (TLACABAG)

Keywords

• Maritime shipping services
• Ship chartering services
• Freight forwarding solutions
• Ship agency services
• Marine technical management

Headquarters

HQ city

Amman

HQ country

Jordan

HQ region

Middle East

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Infrastructure, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Shipping and Ship Operations: Annual over 10 million tonnes carried by JNSL's various shipping lines on wet, dry and specialized vessel types including break bulk liner services
2. Chartering Services: Exclusive broker for international exporters and importers of bulk and bagged commodities; handles dry/wet cargo requirements from short term spot to long term time charters
3. Ship Agency: Port agency, brokerage, surveying, transshipments, husbandry, bunkering services primarily at Aqaba port with presence in Iraq, Egypt, and UAE
4. Maritime Education: Jordan Academy for Maritime Studies (JAMS) established 2004 providing nautical and maritime training, research and consultancy services
5. Hospitality: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Aqaba operation through JMCREI real estate investment venture
6. Freight Forwarding: Project cargo freight forwarding with door-to-door and port-to-port supply chain solutions covering sea transport, agency, handling, custom clearance, and in-land transportation

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Jordan National Shipping Lines (JNSL) is a diversified maritime group that operates vessel-based shipping, chartering and shipbroking, ship agency, technical management, freight forwarding and specialized project cargo services, and marine services such as harbour towage and pilotage. The company, headquartered in Amman with primary port operations at Aqaba, carries over 10 million tonnes of cargo annually across wet, dry, and specialized vessel types in the Mediterranean, Red Sea, Arabian Gulf, and Indian Ocean, and also operates the Jordan Academy for Maritime Studies (JAMS) and the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Aqaba.

Product overview

Jordan National Shipping Lines (JNSL) operates as a diversified maritime group offering an integrated portfolio of shipping and maritime services. The company provides core services including Freight Forwarding & Specialized Projects, Ship Operations (carrying over 10 million tonnes annually), Ship Agency, Chartering, Technical Management, Marine Services, and Ship Ownership. The group also operates Maritime Education through Jordan Academy for Maritime Studies (JAMS), and Hospitality via the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Aqaba. JNSL's business model combines these services through seven subsidiary and affiliated companies including JNLSO, JMCREI, Smit Lamnalco Jordan, JICC, ASM, and JGSA, creating a comprehensive maritime ecosystem serving Jordan and the regional markets.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Aqaba: 5-star hospitality hotel operated by Jordan Maritime Complex Real Estate Investments (JMCREI) with 173 guest rooms and suites
• Jordan Academy for Maritime Studies (JAMS)
• Jordan Group for Shipping Agencies (JGSA)
• Arab Ship Management (ASM)
• Jordan International Chartering Company (JICC)
• Jordan National Lines for Ship Operation (JNLSO)
• Smit-Lamnalco Jordan / APMSCO

Products and services

• Ship Operations Professional vessel operation services carrying over 10 million tonnes annually across wet, dry, and specialized vessel types, operating break bulk liner services in the Mediterranean Sea, Red Sea, Arabian Gulf, and Indian Ocean handling steel pipes, containers, RoRo, and heavy lift cargo.
• Chartering Shipbroking services acting as exclusive brokers for international exporters and importers of bulk and bagged commodities, covering dry and wet cargo requirements from short-term spot contracts to long-term time charters using advanced management systems and IT technologies.
• Ship Agency Ship agency services for strategic cargoes calling at the Port of Aqaba with physical presence in Iraq, Egypt, and UAE, offering tramp and liner ship agency, port agency, brokerage, surveying, transshipments, husbandry, and bunkering services.
• Technical Management Technical and crew management of vessels including preventive and scheduled maintenance, dry dock supervision, spare parts procurement, and day-to-day technical operations ensuring compliance with international safety and quality standards.
• Freight Forwarding and Specialized Projects International freight forwarding service offering door-to-door and port-to-port supply chain solutions for project cargoes to and from Jordan, Iraq, Egypt, and the Red Sea region, covering sea transport, agency, handling, customs clearance, and inland transportation across oil and gas, renewable energy, pipelines, generators, and offshore projects.
• Marine Services Marine support services including harbour towage, pilotage, and related support services operated through partnerships and joint ventures in Jordan and the region.
• Jordan Academy for Maritime Studies (JAMS) Maritime education and training institution offering programs in nautical studies and maritime engineering, acting as a maritime research facility and trusted consultant and advisor to public and private sector clients.
• DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Aqaba 5-star hotel with 173 guest rooms and suites offering city and sea views near the Gulf of Aqaba, awarded best business hotel in Aqaba for several consecutive years.
• Ship Ownership Investment in vessel ownership including Dry and Wet Bulk Carriers, Container Feeders, RoRo Pax, Multipurpose, and Harbor Towage vessels, with a balanced investment strategy adapting to market conditions between full ownership, partial ownership, and chartering.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 10 million tonnes of cargo carried annually across wet, dry and specialized vessel types
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Smit LamnalcocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJNSL partnered with Smit Lamnalco, one of the major integrated marine services companies worldwide, to establish Smit-Lamnalco Jordan, which ventured Aqaba Port Marine Services Company (APMSCO) responsible for all towage, pilotage, and related services at Aqaba Ports.
• Arab Bridge MaritimecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArab Ship Management (ASM) established in 1995 as a partnership with Arab Bridge Maritime and SITTCO, providing technical management, manning, and consulting to vessels and owners in Jordan and the region.
• Salam International Transport & Trading (SITTCO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJordan National Lines for Ship Operation (JNLSO) is a joint venture company between JNSL and SITTCO, serving as the operations arm of JNSL.
• ClarksonsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJordan International Chartering Company (JICC) is a partnership company between JNSL, Arab Potash Company, Jordan Phosphate Mines Co, and Clarksons.
• Arab Potash CompanycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorArab Potash Company is a strategic partner and customer, with shipments calling Aqaba port, and co-investor in Jordan International Chartering Company.
• Jordan Phosphate Mines CocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorJordan Phosphate Mines Co is a strategic partner and customer, with shipments calling Aqaba port, and co-investor in Jordan International Chartering Company.
• DoubleTree by HiltonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJMCREI operates the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Aqaba, a 5-star hotel project that diversifies income streams and achieves growth for shareholders.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Bahri: Saudi Arabia's national shipping carrier, operating a diversified fleet across breakbulk, dry bulk, tankers, and container shipping. Directly comparable to JNSL as a MENA national flag carrier with government-backed strategic mandate, multi-vessel operations, and full-service maritime offerings.
• Smit Lamnalco: Global integrated marine services provider (towage, pilotage, terminal services) and JNSL's JV partner in Aqaba Port Marine Services (APMSCO). Operates similar harbor towage and marine services in Middle East ports, providing a directly comparable service portfolio.
• Clarkson PLC: World's largest shipbroking firm and JNSL's partner in the Jordan International Chartering Company (JICC). Comparable as a chartering/shipbroking services provider serving dry and wet cargo markets, with similar commercial reach into Mediterranean and Red Sea trade lanes.
• Gulf Agency Company (GAC): Global ship agency, freight forwarding, and logistics provider with deep Middle East presence. Competes directly with JNSL's ship agency and freight forwarding services in Red Sea ports, offering comparable tramp/liner agency, husbandry, and project cargo capabilities.
• Salam International Transport & Trading (SITTCO): Qatari logistics and shipping group and JNSL's JV partner in JNLSO (ship operations arm). Directly comparable in regional shipping and freight forwarding services focused on Gulf and Arab Mediterranean trade lanes.

Broad incumbents

• United Arab Shipping Company (UASC) / Hapag-Lloyd: UASC was a regional container carrier (now merged into Hapag-Lloyd) operating primarily in Middle East/Asia-Europe trades. Comparable to JNSL in geography and customer base (Arab World exporters and importers), and historically a competitor for regional containerized cargo.
• Wilh. Wilhelmsen Holding ASA: Norwegian global maritime industry group offering ship management, maritime services, and logistics across multiple segments. Comparable to JNSL's combined portfolio in technical management, ship agency, and maritime services, particularly for vessels calling Middle East ports.
• Star Bulk Carriers: Global dry bulk shipping operator with a large fleet of Newcastlemax, Capesize, Panamax, and Supramax vessels. Comparable to JNSL's dry bulk operations serving Jordanian and regional mineral exporters (Arab Potash, Jordan Phosphate) on similar bulk commodity routes.

Regional players

• Arab Bridge Maritime: NA - Treating PAN Asea as not sufficiently verifiable. Substitute: Arab Bridge Maritime Co. (Jordan-Egypt joint operation providing RoRo and ferry services between Aqaba and Egyptian ports). Directly comparable to JNSL's RoRo and break bulk operations in the Red Sea/Aqaba corridor.

Emerging players

• International Maritime Industries (IMI): Saudi Arabia's emerging maritime services and shipbuilding platform. Comparable to JNSL's technical management and marine services aspirations in the broader Red Sea/Gulf value chain, though operating at a more concentrated regional scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/jordan-national-shipping-lines

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Jordan National Shipping Lines